News Brief
Supreme Court Slams Threats Over Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’, Asserts Rule Of Law Must Prevail
Kamal Haasan in Thug Life.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (17 June) took serious exception to attempts by fringe groups to block the release of Kamal Haasan’s upcoming Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka.
The Court issued a notice on the matter and transferred the petition filed by the film’s producer from the Karnataka High Court to itself, while seeking a formal response from the state government, reported India Today.
The bench expressed dismay over the threats to theatres and criticised the idea that cinema should be held hostage by intimidation.
“If someone has made a statement, you counter it with another statement. You cannot threaten to burn down theatres,” the bench observed.
Reacting to reports that the Karnataka High Court had suggested an apology from Haasan to defuse the situation, the Supreme Court questioned the very premise.
“There is something wrong with the system when one person makes a statement and everyone gets involved. Why should the High Court say ‘express an apology’? That is not its role,” the justices remarked.
The Court reaffirmed that once a film receives certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), it has every right to be screened.
Referring to precedents like the Mi Nathuram Boltoy play case and rulings involving poet-politician Imran Pratapgarhi, the Court emphasised the constitutional protection of dissent.
“If enlightened people of Karnataka and Bengaluru believe his statement was wrong, they can issue a statement saying so. Why threaten to burn down cinemas?” the bench asked.
Reiterating its role, the Court concluded, “We are the custodians of the rule of law. That is what the Supreme Court is for.”
This case stems from the controversy following the remarks of Haasan that Kannada was born out of Tamil. This led to widespread protests in Karnataka.
The Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) had later announced that they have decided to ban the movie in Karnataka after certain groups issued threats against its exhibition.
